offgen.ai Documentation
Stretch

Extend

Grow shapes in specific directions

Extend

Extend actions grow shapes in a specific direction, expanding them while keeping the opposite edge fixed—perfect for lengthening, widening, or filling space directionally.

How Extend Works

Unlike Stretch (which aligns with other shapes), Extend grows shapes in a specific direction:

  1. One edge stays fixed (the anchor edge)
  2. Opposite edge moves outward (grows)
  3. Shape expands in that direction

Extend is like pulling one edge of a shape to make it bigger in that direction.

Extend vs. Stretch

ExtendStretch to Shape
Grows from one edgeResizes to align with other shapes
No reference shape neededNeeds reference shape
Expands by amount you specifyExpands to match reference
Directional growthAlignment-based

Use Extend when: You want to make a shape bigger in one direction

Use Stretch when: You want to align edges with other shapes

Extend Actions

Extend Left

Grows shape leftward while keeping right edge fixed.

How to Use:

  1. Select shape to extend
  2. Click "Extend Left"
  3. Enter amount to extend (or use default)
  4. Shape grows to the left

What Happens:

  • Right edge: Stays fixed
  • Left edge: Moves left
  • Width: Increases

Visual Example:

Before:        After (Extend Left 50px):
    ┌──┐       ┌──────┐
    │  │       │      │
    └──┘       └──────┘
              ← 50px →

Use Case:

  • Extending shapes leftward
  • Filling space to the left
  • Growing from right anchor

Extend Right

Grows shape rightward while keeping left edge fixed.

How to Use:

  1. Select shape to extend
  2. Click "Extend Right"
  3. Enter amount to extend (or use default)
  4. Shape grows to the right

What Happens:

  • Left edge: Stays fixed
  • Right edge: Moves right
  • Width: Increases

Visual Example:

Before:    After (Extend Right 50px):
┌──┐       ┌──────┐
│  │       │      │
└──┘       └──────┘
          ← 50px →

Use Case:

  • Extending shapes rightward
  • Filling space to the right
  • Growing from left anchor

Extend Top

Grows shape upward while keeping bottom edge fixed.

How to Use:

  1. Select shape to extend
  2. Click "Extend Top"
  3. Enter amount to extend (or use default)
  4. Shape grows upward

What Happens:

  • Bottom edge: Stays fixed
  • Top edge: Moves up
  • Height: Increases

Visual Example:

Before:    After (Extend Top 50px):
              ┌──┐
              │  │  ↑
┌──┐          │  │  50px
│  │          │  │  ↓
└──┘          └──┘

Use Case:

  • Extending shapes upward
  • Filling space above
  • Growing from bottom anchor

Extend Bottom

Grows shape downward while keeping top edge fixed.

How to Use:

  1. Select shape to extend
  2. Click "Extend Bottom"
  3. Enter amount to extend (or use default)
  4. Shape grows downward

What Happens:

  • Top edge: Stays fixed
  • Bottom edge: Moves down
  • Height: Increases

Visual Example:

Before:    After (Extend Bottom 50px):
┌──┐       ┌──┐
│  │       │  │  ↑
└──┘       │  │  50px
           │  │  ↓
           └──┘

Use Case:

  • Extending shapes downward
  • Filling space below
  • Growing from top anchor

Extension Amounts

Fixed Amount

Extend by specific measurement:

Extend Right by 100px
Extend Bottom by 2 inches
Extend Left by 50pt

Extension amounts depend on your PowerPoint unit settings (inches, centimeters, points, or pixels).

To Edge

Extend until reaching a target:

1. Note target position
2. Calculate distance
3. Extend by that amount

Or use Stretch instead to automate this.

Proportional

Extend relative to current size:

Current width: 200px
Extend 50% = Extend by 100px

Common Use Cases

Extending Backgrounds

1. Create background rectangle
2. Position at top-left
3. Extend Right (to fill width)
4. Extend Bottom (to fill height)

Result: Background fills desired area

Growing Containers

1. Create container
2. Add content inside
3. Extend Bottom to accommodate more content

Result: Container grows to fit content

Creating Progress Bars

1. Create progress bar base
2. Extend Right as progress increases
3. Animate extension for visual effect

Result: Growing progress indicator

Lengthening Connectors

1. Create connector line (as shape)
2. Extend Right or Bottom to reach target

Result: Connector reaches destination

Advanced Techniques

Symmetric Extension

Extend in opposite directions:

1. Extend Right by 50px
2. Extend Left by 50px

Result: Shape grows from center (100px wider)

Controlled Growth

Extend in stages:

1. Extend Right by 25px
2. Check result
3. Extend Right by 25px more
4. Continue until desired size

Extension with Alignment

Combine extend and align:

1. Extend Right (increase width)
2. Align Center (center horizontally)
3. Result: Centered, wider shape

Extending Multiple Shapes

Apply to multiple shapes:

1. Select all shapes
2. Extend Right by 50px
3. All shapes grow by same amount

Result: Uniform extension across shapes

Combining with Other Actions

Extend + Dock

Create full-coverage elements:

1. Dock Left (anchor to left edge)
2. Extend Right (grow to fill width)

Result: Full-width element

Extend + Distribute

Grow then space evenly:

1. Extend Bottom (make taller)
2. Distribute Vertical (even spacing)

Result: Taller shapes evenly spaced

Extend + Get/Set

Copy extension pattern:

1. Extend one shape
2. Get Size
3. Set Size on others

Result: Multiple shapes with same extended size

Tips & Best Practices

1. Choose Anchor Wisely

Decide which edge should stay fixed:

- Extend Right: Left edge fixed (grow rightward)
- Extend Left: Right edge fixed (grow leftward)
- Choose based on which edge you want anchored

2. Use Small Increments

For fine control:

1. Extend by small amounts (10-25px)
2. Check result
3. Extend more if needed

3. Combine Extensions

For full control:

Extend Right + Extend Down = Grow shape from top-left corner
Extend Left + Extend Up = Grow shape from bottom-right corner

4. Consider Aspect Ratio

Extending in one direction changes proportions:

- Square becomes rectangle
- Circle becomes oval
- Consider extending in both directions to maintain ratio

5. Use Undo Freely

Experiment with confidence:

1. Extend shape
2. If too much, undo (Ctrl+Z)
3. Extend by smaller amount

Common Workflows

Creating Headers

1. Create header rectangle
2. Dock Top
3. Extend Right (to slide edge)

Result: Full-width header

Growing Sidebars

1. Create sidebar
2. Dock Left
3. Extend Bottom (to slide bottom)

Result: Full-height sidebar

Filling Gaps

1. Position shape
2. Extend toward gap
3. Fill space precisely

Result: Shape fills available space

Responsive Containers

1. Create container
2. Extend as needed to fit content
3. Content-adaptive sizing

Result: Container grows with content

Extend Behavior

With Text

Text boxes and shapes with text:

  • Shape extends
  • Text box area increases
  • Text may reflow
  • May need to adjust text afterwards

With Images

Images extend:

  • Image stretches/distorts in extension direction
  • Aspect ratio changes
  • Consider cropping instead for images

With Groups

Grouped shapes:

  • Entire group extends as one unit
  • Internal proportions maintained
  • All shapes grow proportionally

Multiple Shapes

Extending multiple shapes:

  • All shapes grow by same amount
  • Each from its own anchor edge
  • Relative positions maintained

Troubleshooting

Problem: Shape Extends Wrong Direction

Cause: Used wrong Extend action

Solution:

  • Undo (Ctrl+Z)
  • Use correct Extend action:
    • Extend Right = grows rightward
    • Extend Left = grows leftward
    • etc.

Problem: Extended Too Much

Cause: Extension amount too large

Solution:

  • Undo and use smaller amount
  • Or manually resize back

Problem: Shape Distorted

Cause: Extended in only one direction, aspect ratio changed

Solution:

  • Extend in both directions to maintain proportions
  • Or manually adjust to restore aspect ratio

Problem: Can't See Extension

Cause: Extended off slide or behind other shapes

Solution:

  • Check shape position
  • Use Bring to Front
  • Or extend in opposite direction

Extension Formulas

Calculating extension amounts:

To reach specific width:

Extension amount = Target width - Current width

To reach specific position:

Extend Right amount = Target X - Current right edge X

Proportional extension:

Extension amount = Current dimension × Percentage

Use Cases by Extension Direction

Extend Right

  • Growing progress bars
  • Lengthening containers
  • Filling right-side space
  • Timeline extensions

Extend Left

  • Growing backwards in time
  • Filling left-side space
  • Reverse progress bars

Extend Down

  • Growing lists
  • Expanding containers downward
  • Filling vertical space
  • Drop-down menus (static)

Extend Up

  • Growing upward lists
  • Expanding containers upward
  • Chart bars growing up
  • Filling space above

What's Next?

Stretch to Shape

Resize to align with other shapes

Docking

Anchor shapes to slide edges

Get-Set Size

Copy sizes between shapes

Stretch to Shape

Resize shapes to align edges with other shapes

Slice Actions Overview

Divide shapes into grids and segments

On this page

ExtendHow Extend WorksExtend vs. StretchExtend ActionsExtend LeftExtend RightExtend TopExtend BottomExtension AmountsFixed AmountTo EdgeProportionalCommon Use CasesExtending BackgroundsGrowing ContainersCreating Progress BarsLengthening ConnectorsAdvanced TechniquesSymmetric ExtensionControlled GrowthExtension with AlignmentExtending Multiple ShapesCombining with Other ActionsExtend + DockExtend + DistributeExtend + Get/SetTips & Best Practices1. Choose Anchor Wisely2. Use Small Increments3. Combine Extensions4. Consider Aspect Ratio5. Use Undo FreelyCommon WorkflowsCreating HeadersGrowing SidebarsFilling GapsResponsive ContainersExtend BehaviorWith TextWith ImagesWith GroupsMultiple ShapesTroubleshootingProblem: Shape Extends Wrong DirectionProblem: Extended Too MuchProblem: Shape DistortedProblem: Can't See ExtensionExtension FormulasUse Cases by Extension DirectionExtend RightExtend LeftExtend DownExtend UpWhat's Next?